Reality Check

"The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God", Psa 14:1. I, personally, am acquainted with many people who don't really "know" God, but only a few that deny his very existence. If such a conclusion weren't so utterly tragic, it would be laughable! Soemeone uses the very mind that God created to dismiss God himself. How does one get up every morning, witness the multitude of miracles all around him, yet deny the creator of them all? How does one explain life itself in all it's forms, this self-sustaining planet that we call home and the universal order that has provided for man's continued existence for thousands of years?

The apostle Paul told the men of Athens, "God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord; if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring", Acts 17:24-28. King David wrote in Psa 19:1, "The Heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork".

Paul wrote in Rom 1:18-20, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shown it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse". He goes on to explain that, when men choose not to retain God in their knowledge, they become vain in their imaginations. They profess themselves to be wise, but they are fools who are unable to understand truth, their hearts and minds darkened. Does man dare judge God? Does he have the audacity to think himself wiser than his creator, even to the point of questioning his very existence? Can the clay say to the potter, why have you made me this way?

Sometimes, even those who love the Lord make the mistake of questioning his wisdom. Job is a case in point. He was, according to God, a righteous man who feared the Lord and stayed away from evil. However, there came a day when Satan appeared before God and accused Job of obedience for reward. Logic followed that God had put a hedge around Job and had blessed him in all his ways. It was no great thing for Job to honor God. On the other hand, Satan argued, strike him down and watch him curse you to your face. God allowed Satan to have power over Job, except unto death. I'm sure we are all familiar with the sufferings that Satan inflicted upon this righteous man. Through it all, Job did not curse God, but he did fall victim to self pity, anger and doubt concerning God and his dealings with mankind. In his misery he cursed the day he was born. He questioned God, "If I have sinned, what have I done to you, you watcher of humans? Why have you made me your target? have I become a heavy load for you?, Job 7:20 (New Century Version throughout). He continued, "I hate my life, so I will complain without holding back; I will speak because I am so unhappy. I will say to God: Do not hold me guilty, but tell me what you have against me. Does it make you happy to trouble me?", 10: 1-3. He became increasingly paranoid as he rambled on and on, "Your hands shaped and made me. Do you now turn around and destroy me? Remember that you molded me like a piece of clay. Will you now turn me back into dust? You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your care you watched over my life. But in your heart you hid other plans. I know this was in your mind, If I sinned, you would watch me and would not let my sin go unpunished", 10:8, 12-14. As he continued, he began questioning God's judgment. Why do evil people live long lives, why do good people suffer, does it do any good to pray, can we plead our case before God, why is life so short and full of trouble, what is gained by living a good life?

Finally, God had enough! It became time for Job to get a "reality check". The Lord thundered, "Who is this that makes my purpose unclear by saying things that are not true? Be strong like a man! I will ask you questions, and you must answer me", Job 38:2-3.

The Lord then subjected Job to question after question, Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth, or when I created the sea and set the boundaries thereof? Do you know how wide the earth is or gone to where the sea begins? Have you ever ordered the morning to come forth. Can you bring out the stars on time? Do you know where light comes from? Do you know the laws of the sky or understand how they rule the earth? Can you bring forth lightning? Who created a waterway for the rain or set the path for the thunderstorm? Have you visited the storehouses of the snow or hail? Who gives food to the birds, or satisfies the hunger of lions? Have you given the horse his strength, or does the eagle fly through your wisdom? "Will the person who argues with the Almighty correct him? Let the person who accuses God answer him", Job 40:2.

The Lord continued to question Job until there seemed to be no end. Humbled, his only response was, "I am not worthy; I cannot answer you anything, so I will put my hand over my mouth", 40:4. The Lord, however, was not finished. "Be strong, like a man! I will ask you questions, and you must answer me. Would you say that I am unfair? Would you blame me to make yourself look right? Are you as strong as God? Can your voice thunder like his?, 40: 7-9. Look at the Behemoth (hippopotamus). It is one of the first of all my works. Look at its powerful stomach muscles, its tail which is like a cedar tree. Though it's bones are like bronze, it's legs like bars of iron, I can destory it. What about the leviathan (sea monster)? Can you catch it on a fishhook? Can you make it a pet? No one can defeat it. People are overwhelmed just by seeing it. No other creature on earth is its equal. There is none who would be brave enough to make it angry. So, who would dare to stand up against me? Everything under heaven belongs to me!

Finally, Job lay completely broken. "I know that you can do all things and that no plan of yours can be ruined. You asked, 'Who is this that made my purpose unclear by saying things that are not true?' Surely I spoke of things I did not understand; I talked of things too wonderful for me to know. You said, 'Listen now, and I will speak. I will ask you questions, and you must answer me.' My ears had heard of you before, but now my eyes have seen you. So now I hate myself; I will change my heart and life. I will sit in the dust and ashes.", Job 42: 2-6.

Eliphaz asked, in Job 4:17, "Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?" I fear that some would dare to think so. I often hear comments like, "If there is a God..." or "What kind of God would....? You can fill in the rest. We all need a reality check from time to time. The scriptures declare in Isa 55:8-9, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts". He sees those who would question him. Psa 94:9-11 tells us, "He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? He that formed the eye, shall he not see? He that chastiseth the heathen, shall he not correct? He that teacheth man knowledge, shall he not know? The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity". For those who would be proud or boastful against their creator, Hebrews 10:31 warns, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." Very soon now, our Lord shall return to this earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. His glory and majesty will be revealed in that day and all mankind will quake with fear. Isa 2:11-12 prophesies of that day, "The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low". We all should be careful concerning the judgments we make, especially with regard to our creator. Let's take heed to the words of the apostle Paul in Gal 6:7, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap".